Project

Overview

Vision: to combine both photonic and electronic integration for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LiDAR technologies.

Objectives: to build an integrated FMCW LiDAR-on-a-chip platform and to train 10 DCs to an outstanding level in both academic and industry R&D environments

WP1 : LiDAR systems

  • RO1 : To build a system-level model simulating the LiDAR-on-a-chip performances and provide feedback for the key parameters of ranging and beam steering techniques. To develop and demonstrate a fully integrated FMCW LiDAR-on-a-chip system for versatile applications and investigate waveform engineering optimized to different application scenarios (software defined LiDAR)
  • 2 DCs: Thales, DC1; DTU, DC2

WP2 : FMCW based ranging

  • RO2: To develop a fast (>10 kHz), widely (>50 nm) and continuously tunable laser, operating around 1550 nm wavelength, and with a 15-GHz frequency modulation superimposed on the output. This will be achieved using a novel design and driving algorithm to tune the laser, where close integration of a PIC with an EIC will ensure fast operation, high power efficiency and minimal production cost.
  • RO3: To develop and demonstrate co-integrated photonic-electronic receiver circuits with high bandwidth, high dynamic range, low noise and high linearity, tailored to high-performance FMCW LiDAR
  • 4 DCs: (TU/e, DC3,4; IMEC, DC5; UGent, DC6)

WP3: OPA based beam steering

  • RO4: To develop and demonstrate integrated OPA based solid-state 2D beam steering, integrating co-designed OPA PICs and EIC drivers, which can be scaled up to the specifications of both long-range automotive LiDAR (300 m range) and short-range low-power LiDAR with a 180˚ FOV
  • 4 DCs: (UGent, DC7; DTU, DC8,9; TU/e, DC10)

WP4: Coordination and Project Management

    Objectives:
  • To ensure a smooth running of the project, including communication between the consortium and the EC, so that all knowledge is created, managed and disseminated in a coordinated and coherent manner and all training activities, financial and legal aspects, and other issues are managed transparently at a high standard;
  • To ensure that the EC requirements for communication and reporting are met.

    • Lead Beneficiary: DTU (Others: All)

WP5: Training Events

    Objectives:
    To complement the day-to-day training through research activities by
  • providing training through inter-disciplinary research courses relevant to the project;
  • train DCs in transferable/soft skills (entrepreneurship, business, IPR, management, leadership, scientific writing, communication, etc.)

    Lead Beneficiary: UGent (Others: All)

WP6: Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication

    Objectives: Dissemination and exploitation of results and scientific advancements, as well as increasing awareness in the general public of the benefit and need for new researchers.
  • Promote two-way knowledge and data share and transfer between academic and non-academic partners;
  • Maximize industrial uptake of knowledge, to ensure value creation and commercial exploitation of R&D results;
  • Disseminate project concepts, ideas and results to the general public;
  • Identify, assess and protect all relevant project results.

    • Lead Beneficiary: TU/e (Others: All)